March 26, 2013

College is a gateway
to many opportunities. During these formative years, foundations are laid and bridges
are built to future successes.

A variety of college
and university options exist, but choosing the right institution will ensure
that you have access to the right resources, programs, and faculty that meet
your needs. However, don’t forget that colleges are selecting you too. They are
looking for prospective students who will contribute to their campus community
and who have a well-rounded academic and extracurricular track record.

For this reason, it
is important to avoid these five common mistakes when applying to college:

1. Don’t Procrastinate

The first mistake
you don’t want to make when applying to college is to wait until the last
minute to apply. The application process can be lengthy, and it’s important to
have plenty of time to complete all the paperwork and take the required tests.
Many high school students are advised to begin planning as early as their
sophomore year. Start looking at schools you are interested in and find out
which tests and scores they require. Many schools require the SAT and/or the
ACT. It is a good idea to take these tests your sophomore and junior year for
practice, so you are prepared when senior year arrives. Start early so that you
have plenty of time to complete the application process and submit your highest
possible scores.

2. Don’t Put Off Visiting

A big mistake
applicants make is to not visit the college they are planning to attend.
Academics are not the only aspect to consider when applying to a school;
finding success in college can also largely depend on the campus atmosphere and
whether or not it is a place where you feel you can thrive. Make a list of
attributes that you are looking for in a school campus, and take a visit to the
schools on the top of your list. Plan ahead and meet with teachers and advisors
to help you get a feel for the faculty. Many schools can also arrange time for
you to meet with current students, so it’s wise to have a few questions ready
to ask them as well.

3. Don’t Ignore Social Media

Whatever you do,
don’t forget about your social media platforms. These platforms include
Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and any other publicly accessible networks where
you have published personal information. As the influence of social media
increases, it is becoming more common for schools to carefully look over your
online presence. Make sure to take down any potentially incriminating
photographs and posts. Better yet: Make filtering your online presence a habit
as it will be a skill you will need beyond college. Always think before you
post something online, and ask yourself what potential schools or employers
would think if they saw it — because they might!

4. Don’t Lie

Over all else, you
don’t want to make the mistake of falsifying information on your application.
For some students, it can be tempting to elevate applications with
extracurricular activities or awards that are not completely accurate. It is
far better to be honest, even if you think your resume isn’t as diverse as
others, than include misinformation. Colleges are not only able to usually pick
up on these discrepancies, but often times if they suspect something is
incorrect, they will seek to verify the information. In the end, believe in
yourself enough to present the truth, and you will be laying a foundation that
will prepare you even further success during your college years.

5. Don’t Slack

Finally, though the
dreaded senioritis may set in once
you are accepted into college, do not slack off your last semester before
graduation. Many high school students are under the false assumption that it is
only the first half of their high school senior year that colleges are
concerned with. But according to an article in the New York
Times,
colleges often require midterm and final grades to be sent to admissions
offices. Furthermore, make sure you don’t become distracted by first-year
excitement once college actually begins, because many scholarships and
internships are highly dependent on student achievement throughout the year,
and you don’t want to get off on the wrong foot.

Gabriela D. Acosta serves as the community manager for the
MSW@USC, one of the most innovative and dynamic social work graduate
programs online. She is passionate about social justice,
community organizing and leadership development. Connect with me on Twitter
@Gabyacosta101